Game Wrap and Reaction: No. 12 Indiana 27 Maryland 11
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Image: Indiana University Athletics
Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Opponent: Maryland Terrapins
Location: Saturday, November 28, 2020
Why They Played: The Hoosiers and Terrapins face off against as Big Ten East foes.
What The Game Meant: The Hoosiers responded well, after a slow start, to their first loss of the season. The win could also have major Big Ten title implementations depending upon what happens with Ohio State next week.
Top Offensive Performers
Tim Baldwin, RB Indiana- The true freshman saw an expanded role with Sampson James inactive. He ran for a career-high 106 yards on 16 carries and provided much needed explosion in the running attack.
Stevie Scott, RB, Indiana- Scott was the first Hoosier to score three rushing touchdowns since Jordan Howard did so against Southern Illinois in 2015. He powered his way to 80 yards on 24 carries and excuted the ‘wildcat’ offense well.
Dontay Demus, WR, Maryland- Demus provided the only real offensive threat all day for Maryland. He finished with six catches for 114 yards and a score.
Top Defensive Performers
Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana- McFadden had another impact game on defense for the Hoosiers as he recorded an interception as well as a sack. He had three total tackles.
D.K. Bonhomme, LB, Indiana- Bonhomme’s read and tackle for loss on a Maryland run that resulted in a safety that changed the tone of the game. He finished with four tackles (three solo) on the day.
Jordan Mosley, Safety, Maryland- Mosley led the Terrapins with 12 total tackles (eight solo) and half a tackle for loss. He also added a pass break up.
Special Team Performance
The Hoosiers were sound, if not great on special teams on Saturday. Haydon Whitehead helped control field position with a 45.4 yard per punt average and two boots over 50 yards.
Charles Campbell hit his lone field goal and knocked home two extra points.
Reese Taylor had a 21-yard return on the free kick after the safety that helped set up another Hoosier touchdown. However, the IU kickoff team needs to find a game breaking play. Jacolby Hewitt’s lone return went for 18 yards.
Oh and the Hoosiers were prepared for and recovered an onside kick attempt.
Key Stat(s)
23:23-6:37
The Hoosiers dominated the second half as they outscored Maryland 20-8 and held the ball for 23 minutes and 23 seconds as they iced the game.
Turning Point
The turning point came when the Hoosiers’ defense scored on a safety after the offense turned it over on downs. On the next drive the Hoosiers would score another touchdown and a two-point conversion to turn a 7-3 lead and balloon it to 17-3.
I Knew it Was Over When…
Micah McFadden intercepted Taulia Tagovailoa early in the fourth quarter. The Hoosiers would go on and score another touchdown off of it to expand the lead to 27-3.
Players of the Game
Indiana Running Game- The Hoosier run game got fat against the worst run defense in the conference. Hoosier runners carried the ball 47 times for 236 yards and three scores.
Dontay Demus, Maryland- He was the lone bright spot on the day for Maryland’s offense as his garbage time touchdown made the score look a lot closer than it was.
What I took away from the game
Maryland was most “expert’s” pick to score an upset on Saturday with Indiana coming off a heartbreaking loss to Ohio State and the Terps having two weeks off due to COVID. Not only did Indiana win, they covered the 12-point spread and held the high-octane Maryland offense to ust 11 points.
Was the game ugly? Very, but Indiana is winning games without playing their ‘A’ game in every phase. That has not happened in the past, even against underperforming teams.
The Hoosiers are 5-1 and have won in every fashion possible. While it was discouraging to see quarterback Michael Penix struggle mightily and even more distressing to see him leave the game with an injury after a 21-yard run, the Hoosiers finally found their running game and leaned on a defense that held the Terrapins to just 11 points and 63 second half yards.
Penix’s early struggles were concerning. He didn’t look comfortable in the pocket and most of his throws were not even close. He had two first half completions, one on a jump ball and the other on a batted pass. He finished 6-for-19 for 84 yards before leaving the game with an injury.
Before getting to back up quarterback Jack Tuttle, let’s talk about the Hoosiers run game. IU came into the game ranked 13th in the Big Ten in rushing, but Maryland was the worst rush defense in the conference. Something had to give. The Hoosiers broke out the ‘wildcat’ package near the goal line and Stevie Scott scored three touchdowns out of that formation. On the day the Hoosiers ran 48 times for 234 yards. Freshman Tim Baldwin had a breakout game as he ran 16 times for 106 yards.
Jack Tuttle looked solid in relief of the injured Penix. Allen would not expand on the injury other than it was a lower body injury, but Hoosier fans should feel OK with Tuttle running the offense. He finished five-for-five passing for 31 yards and a two-point conversion. He looked confident leading the offense and showed off good arm strength and accuracy.
Overall, the win was an ugly one and potentially a costly one as well with the unknown injury to Penix. However, the Hoosiers won their fifth game of the season and finished off a 4-1 year against Big Ten East foes. They clinched a second consecutive winning record in the Big Ten. Things could get real interesting as far as Indiana’s chances at representing the East in the Big Ten title game. The Hoosiers moved a game ahead of Maryland in the loss column and Ohio State is one more cancellation away from being DQ’d.
Indiana travels to Wisconsin next week to take on a 2-1 Badgers team whose game was canceled Saturday. They have fallen below the six-game threshold for qualifying for the West title. Wisconsin has played just two games since October 24th.